GETAWAYS • Montecito
In a state with 840 miles of coastline, I always wondered why it was impossible to find an excellent seafood restaurant with beautiful views of the Pacific. Then I discovered Caruso’s at the Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito.
The best tables are undoubtedly on the terrace, which offers front-row seats to crashing waves and pink sunsets, while the dining room resembles the inside of a yacht — bedecked in navy blue and crisp white, with teak wood floors and leather booths. Despite a dress code (strictly elegant) and Caruso’s corresponding top-tier service, a warm and inviting atmosphere persists.
Regional flavors and locally sourced ingredients drive the Italian-influenced menu. Highlights include chilled Santa Barbara spiny lobster, gnocchetti with uni (from an esteemed local diver, Stephanie Mutz), and Channel Islands halibut served underneath a parsnip puree. For dessert, buttermilk mousse made with honey from, of course, the property’s own beehives.
Rather than hastily returning to Los Angeles after an exceptional dinner, stay the night at the hotel. This allows for a nightcap at The Manor Bar, with its library-like setting and cocktail menu that nods to iconic literary villains: The Dorian Gray is fruity and Hennessy-based, while the spicy Shere Khan contains both mezcal and Aperol. And, finally, a good night’s sleep in a Rosewood Miramar Beach bungalow, marble bathrooms and Diptyque amenities included. –Victoire Loup
→ Caruso's at Rosewood Miramar Beach (Montecito) • 1759 S Jameson Ln • Sun-Thurs, 530-9p; Fri-Sat, 530-930p.